I think the relationship between Ayla and Seila will eventually improve.
Until now, Seila, who had been practically neglected, has recently been receiving various kinds of education from Daisy and other maids.
As for the education, I heard advice from the other maids. Especially, the maids who had experience raising children suggested many ideas on what kind of education would be good.
Daisy, though not the most conventional, was quite sharp, and I thought that if Seila had any magical talent, Daisy could probably help nurture it.
Seila, who was born under the count, has a rather bright nature. If she learns more about the world and her common sense grows, she might even see Ayla again someday.
If there’s a problem, it’s that ‘improvement happening naturally’ is not the same as ‘me making it improve.’
I am quite certain of what Ayla wants. Doesn’t she want to shorten the time as much as possible? Well, while I am making optimistic observations about their relationship, things could still go completely wrong.
Once a misunderstanding is solidified without the chance to correct it, it will be very hard to normalize the relationship after that.
“Seila is still at the villa.”
While I was pondering near the entrance to the forest, Daisy spoke up.
“It seems she liked it there, more than the large rooms in the mansion.”
Seila is the Count’s daughter. Having seen the royal palace of the kingdom, I didn’t think it was that big, but the ceilings were very high, fitting for an aristocratic mansion. The villa in the forest must have been modified in many ways until Daisy was satisfied, and while it looked like a very fine pastoral house, it couldn’t compare to the count’s mansion, especially in terms of size.
“She’s probably at an age where she feels very lonely.”
“Yeah. I think she doesn’t want to leave because of the warm atmosphere unique to the villa.”
It can’t be said that Seila was abandoned to the level of abuse. The servants must have been kind to her in their own way.
But there was probably no real sincerity in it.
I don’t think it’s wrong, though. It’s just fortunate that the maids, most of whom were brought in half-kidnapped because they fit the count’s taste in looks and body type, didn’t take their frustrations out on Seila.
Usually, when a child is raised this way, their personality gets severely damaged, but Seila miraculously maintained her innocent character.
But no matter how good a child she is, she must still miss her family.
“I’ll go see her for a moment. Is that okay?”
“Of course it’s okay.”
To my question, Daisy answered, almost as if it were ridiculous.
“You’re the head maid. You don’t need to ask for permission.”
“I just asked out of courtesy.”
When I answered, Daisy chuckled.
“And besides, I have no idea what you’ve put in that villa.”
“No matter what, I have no intention of establishing a dangerous laboratory there. I’m only going to build a storage room for verified items.”
“Yeah.”
“That thought alone is quite dangerous.”
But since it was going to be the largest source of income for the Count’s territory for a while, I didn’t tell her not to do it.
As we walked along the increasingly well-maintained forest path, I stood in front of the villa, hesitated for a moment, then knocked on the door. From inside, I heard Seila’s voice saying, “Come in.”
Isn’t this where Daisy and her apprentice are staying?
Before I knew it, it had become Seila’s home.
Well, strictly speaking, everything in the Count’s territory belongs to Seila anyway.
I quietly opened the door and entered. The living room had a cozy atmosphere.
When people think of a “witch,” they often imagine her living in a decaying wooden house in the middle of a dangerous swamp, with a large cauldron always boiling and an old, bent figure stirring it.
To some extent, that’s true. There is a large wooden house in the middle of a dangerous swamp, and there is a large cauldron inside.
But it’s not as damp and dilapidated as people imagine. In fact, it was a well-decorated, excellent wooden house, like one that a noble might have built for a villa.
Would a witch want to live in a dilapidated house like that? She has the ability to build a proper house, and there are apprentices to help her.
Though the entire house was made of wood, the fireplace on one side of the living room was made of iron, a material similar to a cauldron. The chimney extended upwards, beyond the roof.
The weather was almost warm, but it was still a bit chilly at night, so there were clear signs of wood being burned in the stove.
A fine carpet covered the floor, and there were comfortable chairs and sofas made from what seemed to be finely carved wood. It was a neat place, which would have been quite popular if it were a guesthouse in the forest.
“Luna!”
Seila was sitting on the carpet like a child, not very noble-like, with a few porcelain dolls in front of her. They weren’t as big as Seila, but compared to her size, they were quite large and looked expensive.
I looked at Daisy. Daisy puffed out her chest, looking proud.
She looked about the same age as Seila, but in some ways, she seemed more like an elder in this regard. I didn’t mean anything bad by saying that.
“I came to check if Seila is doing well. Are you comfortable staying at the villa?”
I politely asked, and Seila quickly realized what she had been doing and hurriedly stood up.
Looking again, the dolls were sitting in a circle with Seila. In the middle was a round table, also made from finely carved wood.
“Ah, yes, yes.”
Seila, her face slightly flushed, looked around nervously and spoke.
“It’s warm here, and Daisy takes good care of me. My father……”
“I’m glad to hear that.”
“Do you want to go back to the mansion?”
“Don’t you want to go back to the mansion?”
Seila tapped the floor with her toes.
Since I had to spend a lot of time outside from a young age, I can’t quite understand it, but my younger sibling, for instance, has fond memories of hunting with the Marquis and camping.
When the Marquis said it was time to go home, my sibling cried and resisted, being dragged back home.
Even if it wasn’t that extreme, it must have felt nice to have a lighthearted trip.
Most importantly, it wasn’t a place where she was left alone in a large room but somewhere where people treated her warmly, like family.
“If you don’t want to go back, Seila, you can stay as long as you like.”
“Really?”
Seila widened her eyes and looked up at me.
“Everything in this territory belongs to you, Seila. Especially the land around this mansion. You have the right to decide where you want to stay, don’t you?”
“That’s true…?”
Seila tilted her head, looking uncertain whether she should be happy or not.
Her expression grew a little darker.
“The mansion is getting busier now. Is there anyone among the maids who might be upsetting you?”
“Ah, no! Everyone is nice! They may not be as gentle as Daisy, but they give me candy, keep giving me tasty treats…”
As expected.
The youngest among the maids my sibling sent is still at least seven years older than me. It’s no surprise that a girl like Seila is adored.
“But… how should I say it…”
Seeing Seila hesitate, I spoke again.
“Seila, you can do whatever you feel like. It’s good to be polite when dealing with people, but if you only worry about what others think, you won’t be able to do anything.”
“Is that so?”
“Exactly.”
I’ve regretted it many times myself. Especially after the engagement between Ayla and the Count was arranged.
After that, Ayla stopped appearing at the balls.
Should I have spoken to her at the ball instead? Should I have said I was the same person from childhood? Would Ayla have smiled at me? Should I have told her that now I had the confidence not to lose to anyone and suggested we run away together?
By the time I started thinking about it, it was already too late.
In the end, the truth is that I did nothing.
Alright.
“What were you doing?”
“Ah, well…
Does she think she’s too old for this kind of game?
I smiled at Seila and moved closer. Then I sat down in the slightly wider space between the dolls.
“Seila, would you like a cup of tea?”
“Huh?”
Seila stared at me blankly in response to my question.
I politely picked up the toy teapot on the table, and Seila blushed but smiled widely.
“Ah, yes, yes!”
She quickly ran over to the table.
Good. It would be counterproductive to bring up Ayla right now.
The truth is, I know almost nothing about Seila.
It’s better to take things slowly and understand the situation and her personality properly.
Or perhaps, someday, I’ll sit Ayla among these dolls?
While pretending to pour tea from the empty teapot, I thought to myself.